Shopping

Another weekend.

Kazehara Tetsu headed straight for the library as usual.

The library was as quiet as ever, filled with a reassuring sense of peace.

He spotted that familiar figure at a glance.

Shiina Hiyori was sitting at a reading table by the window, a thick book spread open before her.

She was completely absorbed, her finger tracing along the lines of text, her hair swaying with the slight movements of her head.

Kazehara Tetsu didn't disturb her. He casually browsed the nearby shelves, picked up a book, and sat down across from her.

After a long while, Shiina Hiyori seemed to emerge from the world of her book.

She let out a long breath and rubbed her tired eyes.

When she looked up, she noticed Kazehara Tetsu, who had somehow already taken a seat across from her.

"Ah! Tetsu-kun! When did you get here?" Her face immediately lit up with a surprised smile, her voice kept low.

"Just a little while ago. You were so focused, I didn't want to interrupt," Kazehara Tetsu replied, closing his book with a gentle smile.

"No, no, it's my fault for reading too intently and not noticing you..."

Shiina Hiyori stuck out her tongue sheepishly. "Oh, right, Tetsu-kun, thank you so much for recommending that book last time! I learned a lot!"

"I'm glad it helped you."

Kazehara Tetsu's tone was warm. "Knowledge is meant to grow through exchange."

"Mm-hmm!"

Shiina Hiyori nodded vigorously, looking at him. "Tetsu-kun, to show my gratitude... this afternoon, I'd like to invite you... to go shopping together. Is that okay?"

After saying this, she lowered her head nervously, twisting her hands together. This was the first time she had ever invited a boy out.

Kazehara Tetsu watched her and chuckled. "Of course. Actually, I have some things I need to buy as well. It's my honor to have a lovely lady accompany me."

"Great!" Shiina Hiyori's face beamed with a radiant smile.

They packed up quickly and left the library side by side.

The afternoon sun was still pleasantly warm. Beech Tree Shopping Mall was bustling with people, filled with the leisurely liveliness typical of a weekend.

Shiina Hiyori clearly didn't have much experience with this. She stayed close to Kazehara Tetsu's side, curiously taking in everything around her, like a child visiting a big city for the first time.

"By the way, Hiyori, don't you come here often?" Kazehara Tetsu asked casually.

"Well... most of the time, I'm at the library. Crowded places like this always feel a bit... I don't know what to do."

"Then today's a good chance to experience life a little."

Kazehara Tetsu led her, not to the trendy clothing stores, but into a large household goods supermarket.

"I need to pick up some daily necessities. Feel free to look around—if there's anything you like, consider it a thank-you gift for being my 'shopping consultant.'"

"Huh? No, no need! I'm already happy just coming out with you!" Shiina Hiyori quickly waved her hands.

Kazehara Tetsu didn't press further. He simply pushed the shopping cart, weaving through the aisles.

He was very decisive in his selections. After a month of use, some daily items needed replenishing.

Just as they turned a corner at a shelf, a familiar figure appeared in their line of sight without warning.

Kamuro Masumi.

She was standing there alone, holding two different brands of shampoo, seemingly hesitating over which to choose.

She seemed to notice them too. The moment her gaze met Kazehara Tetsu's, who was pushing the cart, her body stiffened noticeably.

And when her eyes fell on the petite, cute girl beside him—Shiina Hiyori, who was looking up and talking to him—a deeply complex emotion flickered in her purple eyes.

Her stare was like the harshest winter wind, freezing the air around them.

What was that?

"What a coincidence, Tetsu."

Her voice was flat, betraying no emotion.

Shiina Hiyori looked at the suddenly appearing Kamuro Masumi with some confusion, then back at Kazehara Tetsu beside her.

"Tetsu-kun, who is this...?"

"Kamuro Masumi, my classmate."

Kazehara Tetsu's expression didn't change. He introduced her naturally. "Kamuro, this is Shiina Hiyori from Class C."

His introduction was concise and official.

Kamuro Masumi's gaze lingered on Shiina Hiyori's petite, cute face for half a second, then returned to Kazehara Tetsu.

"Are you two... on a date?" She asked a question so direct it bordered on rude.

"No, no!"

Before Kazehara Tetsu could answer, Shiina Hiyori quickly waved her hands. "Tetsu-kun and I are just... just ordinary friends! He recommended a lot of great books to me, so I wanted to treat him to some shopping as thanks!"

Her explanation was full of goodwill, but in Kamuro Masumi's ears, it took on a different flavor.

"Oh? Just ordinary friends, and you use such an intimate address?"

This ambiguous remark instantly made the atmosphere awkward.

Shiina Hiyori was at a loss, and she looked to Kazehara Tetsu for help as if pleading.

Kazehara Tetsu seemed oblivious to the undercurrents between the two women.

He reached out, naturally placing his hand on Kamuro Masumi's shoulder, pulling her toward him with a familiarity like soothing a sulking pet.

"Alright, don't stand here blocking the way."

His voice carried a hint of finality. "Since we've run into each other, let's shop together. Just so happens, Hiyori wanted to buy some things too."

Kamuro Masumi's body stiffened for a moment. She instinctively tried to break free, but the strength in Kazehara Tetsu's arm left no room for resistance.

In the end, she yielded, leaning against Kazehara Tetsu's side.

Under the bright supermarket lights, the three of them formed a strange tableau.

Kazehara Tetsu's arm remained on Kamuro Masumi's shoulder, that unyielding pressure transmitting through the thin fabric of her school uniform, keeping her rigid body from any effective struggle.

His other hand pushed the shopping cart, his posture as leisurely as if he were strolling through a park.

Shiina Hiyori stood on the other side of the cart, her small frame half-hidden behind it.

She looked at Kazehara Tetsu, then at the suddenly appearing purple-haired girl radiating an aura of "keep away," her large eyes filled with simple confusion.

As for Kamuro Masumi, forcibly pulled into this situation, her body was compelled to nestle against Kazehara Tetsu.

Her gaze flickered back and forth between Shiina Hiyori's innocent face and Kazehara Tetsu's nonchalant profile.